Current News

by Devon Green, VAHHS This is the time when I knock on wood about everything, but it looks like the end is in sight, with just a few issues outstanding. Including: Elimination of Hospital Services: S.189; Reference Based Pricing: S.190; Private Equity and Prohibition on Corporate Practice of Medicine: H.583.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $4.53 per gallon, down 2.9 cents per gallon from last week's $4.56/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $4.18/g while the highest was $4.79/g, a difference of 61.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 6.6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.45/g today. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Brattleboro Retreat’s doctoral psychology internship program has once again earned accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA), extending the nationally recognized designation through 2035. The reaccreditation confirms that the Retreat continues to meet the APA’s standards for training future psychologists and mental health professionals. The decision followed an extensive review process that included a site visit, program evaluations, and interviews with staff and trainees.  The APA reviewers highlighted the exceptional level of mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and clinical training provided to interns, reflecting the program’s important role in developing the mental health workforce our communities urgently need.

Vermont Business Magazine The Upper Valley Aquatic Center (UVAC) is proud to announce its official participation in the 17th Annual World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL) on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Local families are invited to take part in this massive, global water safety event, which UVAC is expanding this year across three regional locations in Vermont and New Hampshire. The lessons are completely free for children, though advance registration is required.

by Maggie Lenz and Gwynn Zakov The amendment to H.955, the education transformation bill, has now been published in the Senate Calendar and is ready for action on Tuesday. The sponsors are bipartisan, and the language appears to reflect long negotiations behind the scenes among the Senate, House, and Governor’s office. If it passes the Senate, it could move very quickly through the remaining steps, potentially through both chambers on Tuesday or Wednesday, although a committee of conference is still possible. That makes adjournment likely late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. The amendment makes several major changes to the bill. But most notably, it does not appear to impose the kind of forced consolidation the Governor has been calling for publicly. That is politically significant. If the Governor does in fact support this amendment, which seems likely given that the Senate Minority Leader is one of the sponsors, it would represent a major concession from his earlier position that the bill needed forced consolidation.

Vermont Business Magazine FEMA has approved more than $6 million in post-disaster funding for Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program projects in the six states of FEMA Region 1. This includes $182,000 to the Town of Chester for costs related to the July 2023 floods.These programs empower states, local communities, tribes and territories to recover to rebuild more resilient, safer communities and protect infrastructure from future events. The funding approved today includes nearly $3.4 million under FEMA’s Public Assistance program awarded across all six New England states.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Legislature's joint Committee of Conference on S.325 voted May 21 to recommend a final version of the land use bill designed to reform Act 181. Governor Scott vetoed Act 181 in 2024, largely due to the expanded Act 250 jurisdiction via Tier 3 and the ‘Road Rule.’ The Legislature overturned the veto, clearing the way for these new Act 250 triggers. Last Thursday the Conference Committee recommendation included repeal of Tier 3 and the Road Rule but does not include several provisions passed by the Senate, in particular those regarding wetlands rules.

Vermont Business Magazine Beginning July 1, 2026, Washington County residents will see a transition of their public transportation services from Green Mountain Transit (GMT) to Tri-Valley Transit (TVT). This transition is part of a larger effort by the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) to bring rural and small-town transit under the umbrellas of agencies with a long history of serving those areas of the state. TVT, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary of rural service, is well-positioned to become the transit operator for Washington County. TVT plans to maintain all current services without interruption and with no changes to routes or schedules. All rides will also remain fare-free. The Montpelier-Burlington LINK Express service, however, will continue to be operated by GMT out of Burlington.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement on Memorial Day: “Since our nation’s earliest days, Vermonters have fought and died to protect the freedoms we enjoy today. Time and time again, Vermonters have shouldered more than our share in the fight for freedom, and it is our duty to honor those who left and never came home."

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Most business owners know how to talk about what they do, but not why it truly matters. The Hidden Brand 10-week workshop is designed to change that. This immersive experience will help you uncover the deeper ideas behind your farm, food, or forest business—your purpose, your voice, and the belief that sets you apart—so you can build a brand that resonates far beyond products and services. The workshop is offered by Steve Redmond of Rival Brands, a Vermont-based brand strategy business that works with all kinds of Vermont food and beverage businesses. Across 10 weeks between August and October 2026, you’ll be guided through a powerful framework that brings clarity to your strategy and confidence to your leadership.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for two community leadership awards: the 2026 Arthur Gibb Award for Sustainable Community Leadership and the newly established Local Leadership Award. Both awards celebrate Vermonters whose vision, dedication, and courage are making a lasting difference for their neighbors and the places they call home. Nominations for both awards are due no later than Friday, July 3rd.

Vermont Business Magazine Middlebury College marked its 225th Commencement ceremony on May 24 as 558 graduates gathered with friends, family, faculty, and staff on the Voter Quad to celebrate the Class of 2026. Students from 45 states and U.S. territories and more than 20 countries were greeted on stage by President Ian Baucom in his first Commencement at Middlebury. They  received their diplomas and replicas of Gamaliel Painter’s cane, presented by Hannah Burnett ’10, president of the Middlebury Alumni Association. The class included Fulbright scholars, National Science Foundation grant recipients, a Yenching Scholar, Critical Language Scholarship recipients, and student-athletes who earned All-America honors and competed on national championship and NESCAC title-winning teams.